R.J. Mitte with mother Dyna Mitte at the 'King Cobra' cast dinner in New York on April 15, 2016. Theo Wargo/Getty Images for KING COBRA Dyna Mitte is paying tribute to R.J. Mitte 15 days after discovering her son at his Texas home after he took his own life at age 34.
“We are lost without him, yet we know he wouldn’t want us to be,” Dyna wrote about the Breaking Bad actor and activist in a social media post on Tuesday. “He would want his message heard and the work we were doing with The Mitte Foundation in Brownsville to continue.”
In her touching tribute posted to Instagram, Dyna wrote, “What can I say about my precious child? From the day we got RJ at 3 days old, he has been inspiring and sharing his heart with everyone he met. Whether he was learning to manage and later thrive with cerebral palsy or finding his way in the acting community, it required hard work, but he succeeded and was always ready for the next challenge. It became a joy watching his way with people, the way he naturally lit up in every room he entered and instantly charmed his way into people’s lives like they were family.”
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R.J. Mitte was remembered earlier this month during an Oct. 16 Celebration of Life ceremony at the Mitte Center in Brownsville, Texas, where hundreds filled the seats and an overflow building to share tributes. The family was working on another celebration of life in Los Angeles at the end of the month, Dyna recently said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter around that time, where she said she was speaking out in hopes of reaching anyone else who might be struggling.
“It’s important for parents to realize that there may be big signs or small signs. If you notice, even in conversation, that there are struggles or questions, be really in tune with your children and take the steps you can to help,” she said. “I thought R.J. was in a place where we had gotten over the hump and that he was OK. It wasn’t until he didn’t answer the phone that I recognized it as a red flag, because we talked regularly.”
She also clarified that her son was doing well in his career, quieting speculation suggesting otherwise. “R.J. had three movies that have already come out this year. He has two more coming out,” she told THR. “He has already signed deals on several new movies that he was going to be filming. There were talks of different things. He had a book coming out. He had a food truck he was starting. He had a lot going on.”
Read her full tribute below.
What can I say about my precious child? From the day we got RJ at 3 days old, he has been inspiring and sharing his heart with everyone he met. Whether he was learning to manage and later thrive with cerebral palsy or finding his way in the acting community, it required hard work, but he succeeded and was always ready for the next challenge. It became a joy watching his way with people, the way he naturally lit up in every room he entered and instantly charmed his way into people’s lives like they were family.
Life with RJ was a constant adventure. The places we traveled for his acting and appearances, though for work, he always made them fun. From Florida to Lithuania, he knew all the historical facts and places we should see, and we would always go just to satisfy his neverending curiosity. I can never express how proud I was of everything he overcame to become the man the world was just beginning to know. The years he spent advocating developed a deep empathy for those who needed him to be their voice and it was never a burden, but a role he loved to play. We are lost without him, yet we know he wouldn’t want us to be. He would want his message heard and the work we were doing with The Mitte Foundation in Brownsville to continue.
In time, I will get back to everyone who has reached out and shared their stories about RJ. Please know I’m seeing them and appreciate how much he meant to you all. My son was an incredibly special and sensitive soul who did so much for his family, his community, and the world, and we will mourn him for the rest of our days.
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